(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
When four consecutive wins to start a season is the best return since the Glory, Glory Days of the 1960/61 campaign, it is easy to see why optimism has been high on The High Road of N17.
While 12 points from a possible 15 represents a huge numerical improvement on last season, nine of those points were taken in the corresponding fixtures last campaign. If you substitute Birmingham for West Brom as a newly promoted midlands club, none of the points earned have come from a different source.
In fact, by losing to the Champions on Saturday, Tottenham are one point worse off than in the same fixtures last season. Admittedly, this is a pessimistic viewpoint, and fails to take into account the manner of the victories Spurs have enjoyed.
The performances versus Liverpool, West Ham and Hull were all vast improvements on the displays last year, and that should be the reason why hopes are high.
Ever since Martin Jol steered Spurs to consecutive fifth place finishes in 2006 and 2007, there have been expectations that Tottenham could be the team to break the “big four” hegemony. Spurs have not been shy in the transfer market, and Redknapp now has a strong squad at his disposal, with depth in most positions.
Bolstering a notoriously porous defence is always a priority for any Spurs manager, while maintaining an emphasis on the attractive style of football Tottenham fans like to claim as their own.
The arrival of Bassong provides extra strength to a centre back corps which always looks good on paper, but rarely gets a chance to show it on the field. King will never be able to play more than two games in eight days, Woodgate has a terrible injury history, and Dawson has begun to miss matches with recurring niggles. Corluka can provide cover, but lacks pace.
Hutton, Bale, Assou-Ekotto and Naughton are all competent full-backs, without being an elite group; while Gomes and Cudicini both have their critics as goalkeepers. Spurs are yet to keep a clean-sheet this season, which instantly puts pressure on the attacking players.
While no one can deny the quality of performances up to Saturday’s game, that match highlighted the differences between a perennial title challenger and an ambitious hopeful.
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